Technical Guide
File Formats and Delivery
Reading time: approx. 4 minutes
Once your recording or mixing sessions are complete, the format in which you receive your data is critical for subsequent distribution, pressing, and long-term archiving. This guide details the standard delivery specifications used at Frottoncoreio and explains which file formats clients should choose to ensure their work remains future-proof for remastering or further editing.
1. Standard Delivery Formats: The Importance of WAV
Our studio delivers all master data in uncompressed WAV format. As the industry standard, WAV ensures no loss of audio quality, making it the ideal choice for uploading to streaming platforms or CD pressing. Our typical delivery specifications include:
- Sample Rate: 44.1kHz or 48kHz (depending on project settings)
- Bit Depth: 24-bit or 16-bit
- Channels: Stereo (L/R) and Mono (for individual tracks)
While compressed formats like MP3 are convenient for quick listening and small file sizes, they discard audio data and are not recommended for archiving. We provide MP3s for final confirmation, but the WAV file must always be kept as the official master.
2. Defining Stems and Multitracks
Depending on your needs, we offer more than just a "full mix" (2-mix). Understanding the difference between "Stems" and "Multitracks" is essential for future project flexibility.
Stems are grouped tracks combined by instrument category (e.g., all drums as one file, all vocals as another, all synths as another). These are incredibly useful for live sound reinforcement or efficient remixing. Multitracks, on the other hand, are the raw, independent files for every single microphone input, allowing a project to be remixed from scratch.
The provision of these files is determined by the chosen plan in our Mixing & Mastering service.
3. Delivery Workflow and Data Transfer
To guarantee security and quality, we utilize specific transfer methods. Clients can receive data directly at our studio in Naka-ku, Nagoya, or via secure cloud transfer.
| Method | Characteristics | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Storage | Fast delivery, remote access | Single songs, podcasts |
| Physical Media (HDD/SSD) | Secure transfer of large volumes | Albums, full band sessions |
| Studio Pickup | Final check with the engineer | Clients based in Nagoya area |
4. Archive Management and Retention
The loss of digital data can be an irreparable blow to a musical project. Frottoncoreio maintains session backups to assist clients with potential future needs.
According to studio rules, project archives are stored for 12 months after delivery. Within this window, we can accommodate minor revisions or requests for file re-transmission. After 12 months, data is deleted to manage server capacity. We strongly recommend that clients maintain their own redundant backups on both physical external drives and cloud storage.
5. Pre-Delivery Checklist
To ensure a smooth handover, we suggest confirming the following points before the final export. This is especially important if you are targeting specific sample rates for platforms like Spotify or Apple Music.
- Have you specified the final format (WAV vs MP3)?
- Do you require stems for live use or future remixes?
- Do you have a preferred naming convention (e.g., SongName_Version_Date)?
- Is the delivery email or cloud access permission active?
6. Local Production Environment in Nagoya
Located in the Nishiki district of Naka-ku, Nagoya, our studio is designed for a high-efficiency digital workflow, allowing local artists to utilize their data immediately. We adhere to strict standard formats to ensure compatibility with other production houses and broadcasting studios in the region.
For those preferring physical media, our location — just a 5-minute walk from Sakae Station — allows you to visit the studio for a final quality check with our engineers. This eliminates transfer errors and ensures the work is completed exactly to your satisfaction.
Note: Major revisions after final delivery (such as a full remix) may incur additional costs. Please refer to our Terms of Service regarding the number of revisions (e.g., Mixing includes up to 3 rounds of revisions).
If you would like to learn more about preparing for your session, please see our Recording Preparation Guide. For specific delivery schedules or custom format requests, please reach out via our Contact page.